Tom Hardy Goes From Real-Life Hero To Movie Supervillain

Last month, the actor reportedly helped catch criminals who had stolen a motorbike. Now he’s taking on a life of crime of his own.

Sony announced Friday that Hardy will play Venom/Eddie Brock in its upcoming “Venom” movie. Hardy’s villain, Bane, was the best part of “The Dark Knight Rises” (even the president was apparently a fan when it seemed like he ripped off Bane’s speech), so we’re into this.

For those who don’t know, Venom is one of the most popular villains/antiheroes in Marvel comics. It’s a Symbiote that needs a human host to survive. Hardy’s Eddie Brock will apparently be that host.

Sony posted an image of Hardy in a Venom shirt that detailed the news:

A post shared by Sony Pictures (@sonypictures) on May 19, 2017 at 11:06am PDT

Venom often appears alongside Spider-Man, but Deadline reports the movie is not a spinoff of Sony’s Spidey movies. So you can probably forget about the version of Venom portrayed by Topher Grace in Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man 3.”

You know, if you can forget anything from “Spider-Man 3” ...

The Hollywood Reporter states “Venom” is meant to “usher in a host of movies from Sony’s Marvel and Spider-Man-based universe of characters.” “Zombieland” director Ruben Fleischer is reportedly directing the movie, which is due out October 5, 2018.

We’re not saying Tobey Maguire will show up with his “Spider-Man 3” dance moves to fight Venom. But if he doesn’t, that’s a missed opportunity.